Her stomach rumbled and heat painted her cheeks a light pink. “I’m afraid that I’m famished.”
I nodded. “I’ll get dressed and head out to the inn and ask for a meal to be brought here. Or would you rather come with me and eat in the dining room?”
She chewed on her lower lip as she thought about it. “I think I’d rather wait for you here. If we have a tray in the cottage, I can go back to sleep as soon as I finish eating.”
I traced a finger over her mouth. “Not before the two of us explore this new side of our relationship further.”
For some reason, I didn’t think I’d tire of Diana in the same way I’d grown bored with many others. I wasn’t sure why. Perhaps it was just a trick of the situation since I knew she wasn’t just a momentary pleasure. I’d have to think about it more later. But for now, I needed to obtain nourishment and, if it was possible, arrange for a bath the two of us could enjoy in our cozy little cottage.
I chose to wear the same clothing I’d had on when we arrived. I only had one more change of clothing in the portmanteau. I would save that for tomorrow and the trip back to England.
I winced as I thought about making another trip so soon. But at least this time we wouldn’t need to travel by post chaise. We could hire a carriage and return at a more leisurely pace, stopping each night along the way. Haste was no longer an issue.
When I was done, I turned and watched Diana as she tugged her chemise over her head. She handed me her corset without a word, but I’d be damned if I was going to bind her into that torture device again. “See if your dress fits without it.”
She hesitated and then shrugged. “I’m not going to miss it.”
She stepped into her gown and then turned around so I could button it for her. I was sad to see her cover up those glorious breasts that had come as such a pleasant surprise, but at least the dress fit without needing her corset.
When she turned around again, she was looking down at where her decolletage was now visible over the neckline of her dress. “Aunt Matilda will suffer an apoplexy when she sees me.”
I refrained from saying what I really thought. That her guardians would be fortunate if that was all that happened to them. If they’d had a hand in the death of Diana’s mother, I was going to see to it that they were ruined.
She frowned when there was a loud rapping at the door of the outer room. “Do you think that might be someone with dinner?”
“I’ll go check.”
I tried to tell myself that it couldn’t possibly be Diana’s uncle. We’d made good time, after all.
But my senses were on high alert, and they were rarely wrong.
CHAPTER 21
DIANA
I watched Clifton leave the room, my heart in my throat. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit I wanted to stay in the bedroom, safely hidden away. But I didn’t have to worry about repercussions if I did something to displease my uncle. Our marriage was recognized in England, and they no longer had any control over me.
Clifton had saved me, and I couldn’t abandon him to suffer my uncle’s wrath while I hid.
I followed him into the main room and tried to remain calm while he opened the cottage door. When I saw a young maid standing in the doorway, I sagged with relief.
She dipped into a curtsy. “My lord. I’m afraid I have bad news. Someone has arrived at the inn, an older gentleman.” Her eyes darted past him and landed on me. “He says he is searching for his niece.”
Clifton glanced at me and then turned back to the maid. “Thank you for letting us know. I will follow momentarily.”
She dipped into a curtsy again before leaving.
Clifton closed the door and turned to me. “I’ll deal with this.”
I was already shaking my head. “No, I must come with you.”
“There’s no need to put yourself through this ordeal?—”
“There is every need,” I said, interrupting him. “Uncle will need to see me. I’ll need to convince him that it is too late.”
“No convincing will be necessary. You are legally my wife, and there’s nothing he can do about it.”
I took a deep breath, trying to settle my rising panic. This was no different than any of those other times when I’d displeased my uncle. He’d never been fond of me and rarely tolerated my presence. Although he’d be much angrier now, given the inconvenience I’d put him through.
